Smart Grid Communication Network Research Articles

Developing an Intelligent Decision Support System for large-scale smart grid communication network planning

The placement of routers and gateways in wireless communication networks for Smart Grid Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) is a complex problem often addressed in the literature through heuristics, clustering, or linear programming approaches. In large-scale scenarios, the complexity is directly related to the region’s number of smart meters and poles. The terrain profile can introduce signal quality degradation between a smart meter and the routers and gateways, further complicating the problem. This study presents the AIDA-ML method, representing a preliminary step toward developing an Intelligent Decision Support System (IDSS) for an effective positioning strategy. AIDA-ML incorporates a feature engineering-based strategy and utilizes machine learning algorithms to learn from the results computed by a heuristic method called AIDA. The heuristic approach is too time-consuming, relying on external resources like numerous terrain profile API calls and a deep understanding of wireless communication loss models. To implement a machine learning-based and more straightforward approach, a feature engineering process is employed to capture the operational characteristics and results of the analytical method while requiring less processing time. Through experiments conducted with real-world data from 26 cities in the state of Paraná, Brazil, comprising 466,237 smart meters and 352,867 poles, the results obtained using machine learning algorithms suggest that AIDA-ML can ensure the connection coverage of smart meters while meeting the same minimum requirements established for the analytical method. Moreover, AIDA-ML offers the advantage of reducing the processing time by 87.60% and by 96.86% the overall search space size compared to the heuristic approach.

A provable secure and lightweight ECC-based authenticated key agreement scheme for edge computing infrastructure in smart grid

With the gradual maturity of Smart Grid (SG), security challenges become the most important issues that need to be addressed urgently. In recent years, many schemes adopt mutual authentication and key agreement to ensure secure communication in SG. However, most existing methods have their own shortcomings in either security or efficiency which make them difficult to satisfy the security requirements of SG. In this paper, we propose a provable secure and lightweight authenticated key agreement scheme based on the Elliptic Curve Cryptosystem (ECC) for the cloud-edge-end collaboration SG communication network. The proposed scheme can guarantee the security of the communication and provide anonymity for both the edge server and the smart meters. The anonymity of the smart meters can be provided by a pseudonym mechanism. By rigorous security analysis, the proposed scheme can resist to the typical attacks including replay attacks and identity forgery attacks. The security properties are also evaluated by using the Canetti and Krawczyk (CK) adversary model. The performance simulation results denotes that the proposed scheme not only owns stronger security functions but also improves computation efficiency by 24.5% on average than other four schemes. By simulation results, the proposed scheme has been shown to hold high efficiency.

Energy-efficient data transmission with proportional rate fairness for NANs of smart grid communication network

In smart grid, the neighborhood area network (NAN) serves as a bridge connecting smart meters and meter data management system (MDMS) and is one of the most important components of the smart grid communication network. In this work, we study the energy-efficient data transmissions from NAN gateways (i.e., routers) to the concentrator that connects the MDMS. Particularly, to assure that each router associated with diverse number of associated smart meters can achieve a required data rate, a set of proportional rate fairness constraints are imposed into the optimization problem. In this case, an optimization problem that balances energy efficiency and fairness is formulated. Due to the fractional form of objective function, the combinatorial constraints on channel allocation variables, and the proportional rate fairness requirements, the formulated energy-efficient data transmission problem is non-convex and extremely computationally complex. In order to solve the problem efficiently, firstly, a subtractive transformation is introduced to handle the objective function, and an iterative algorithm based on Dinkelbach method is proposed; then for the inner loop optimization problem in each iteration, a low-complexity suboptimal algorithm that separates channel allocation and power distribution is developed. Finally, numerical results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm converges in a few steps and achieves a near-optimal energy efficiency performance.

Smart Grid Communication Networks for Electric Vehicles Empowering Distributed Energy Generation: Constraints, Challenges, and Recommendations

Modern communication networks and digital control techniques are used in a smart grid. The first step is to classify the features of several communication networks and conduct a comparative investigation of the communication networks applicable to the smart grid. The integration of distributed generation has significantly increased as the global energy demand rises, and sustainable energy for electric vehicles and renewable energies worldwide are being pursued. Additional explanations for this surge include environmental concerns, the reforming of the power sector, and the advancing of small-scale electricity generation technologies. Smart monitoring and control of interconnected systems are required to successfully integrate distributed generation into an existing conventional power system. Electric-vehicles-based smart grid technologies are capable of playing this part. Smart grids are crucial to avoid becoming locked in an obsolete energy infrastructure and to draw in new investment sources and build an effective and adaptable grid system. To achieve reliability and high-quality power systems, it is also necessary to apply intelligent grid technologies at the bulk power generation and transmission levels. This paper presents smart grid applicable communication networks and electric vehicles empowering distributed generation systems. Additionally, we address some constraints and challenges and make recommendations that will give proper guidelines for academicians and researchers to resolve the current issues.

Performance Analysis of Smart Grid Wide Area Network With RIS Assisted Three Hop System

In this paper, we investigate the performance of a wide area network (WAN) with three hops over a mixed radio frequency (RF), reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) assisted RF and Free space optics (FSO) channel. Here RIS and decode-and-forward (DF) relays are used to improve the coverage and system performance. For general applicability, the RF and FSO links are modelled with Saleh-Valenzuela (S-V) and Gamma-Gamma distribution, respectively. In the smart grid (SG) communication network, the smart meter (SM) communicates the information from the devices to the data aggregator unit (DAU) through the RIS-assisted RF link. As all the devices are not switched on all the time, the Markov chain is used to model the number of active devices. The DAU retransmits the data to the meter data management system (MDMS) through the FSO link, where the atmospheric turbulence and pointing error impairments exist. In this context, closed-form expressions for average bit error rate (ABER) and outage probability (OP) are derived using the H-fox function and extended generalized Bi-variant H-fox function. Here the numerical results demonstrate the effect of different FSO parameters, the number of reflectors in RIS, traffic intensity, and the number of total devices in the SG network.

VNF Orchestration and Power-Disjoint Traffic Flow Routing for Optimal Communication Robustness in Smart Grid With Cyber-Physical Interdependence

We explore the use of software-defined networking (SDN) technology in building a communication network for smart grid. With cyber-physical interdependence, such communication network may suffer from cross-network cascading failures. To prevent the failures, we perform virtual network function (VNF) orchestration jointly with power-disjoint routing. Our work is novel in proposing an efficient scheme to find power-disjoint routes at the same time of performing VNF orchestration. We formulate an optimization to maximize the ratio of power-disjoint route count to VNF orchestration cost. The optimization has a non-linear non-convex objective function. We propose a two-level hierarchical solution approach. At higher level, the scheme converts the problem into a fractional maximum flow circulation, which can be solved using simplex method to find the maximum number of power-disjoint routes. Given a higher level solution, the lower level aims to minimize the VNF orchestration cost while satisfying VNF chaining and placement requirements. This lower level hierarchy uses the Dijkstra’s algorithm in building a sequence of minimum spanning trees, each roots at the current VNF hosting node in a VNF chain. Extensive simulation results confirm that the proposed scheme can find the maximum number of power-disjoint routes and minimize the cost within a second, for a system with 120 communication nodes. The results show that the number of power-disjoint routes can be increased by increasing either the number of nodes or node degree, but only the node degree can keep the cost flat. Therefore, one should build a robust software-defined smart grid communication network by enhancing node connectivity.

Towards an Efficient Method for Large-Scale Wi-SUN-Enabled AMI Network Planning

In a smart grid communication network, positioning key devices (routers and gateways) is an NP-Hard problem as the number of candidate topologies grows exponentially according to the number of poles and smart meters. The different terrain profiles impose distinct communication losses between a smart meter and a key device position. Additionally, the communication topology must consider the position of previously installed distribution automation devices (DAs) to support the power grid remote operation. We introduce the heuristic method AIDA (AI-driven AMI network planning with DA-based information and a link-specific propagation model) to evaluate the connectivity condition between the meters and key devices. It also uses the link-received power calculated for the edges of a Minimum Spanning Tree to propose a simplified multihop analysis. The AIDA method proposes a balance between complexity and efficiency, eliminating the need for empirical terrain characterization. Using a spanning tree to characterize the connectivity topology between meters and routers, we suggest a heuristic approach capable of alleviating complexity and facilitating scalability. In our research, the interest is in proposing a method for positioning communication devices that presents a good trade-off between network coverage and the number of communication devices. The existing literature explores the theme by presenting different techniques for ideal device placement. Still rare are the references that meticulously explore real large-scale scenarios or the communication feasibility between meters and key devices, considering the detailed topography between the devices. The main contributions of this work include: (1) The presentation of an efficient AMI planning method with a large-scale focus; (2) The use of a propagation model that does not depend on an empirical terrain classification; and (3) The use of a heuristic approach based on a spanning tree, capable of evaluating a smaller number of connections and, even so, proposing a topology that uses fewer router and gateway positions compared to an approach that makes general terrain classification. Experiments in four real large-scale scenarios, totaling over 230,000 smart meters, demonstrate that AIDA can efficiently provide high-quality connectivity demanding a reduced number of devices. Additional experiments comparing AIDA's detailed terrain-based propagation model to the Erceg-SUI Path Loss model suggest that AIDA can reach the smart meter's coverage with a fewer router positions.

A Comprehensive Review on Wired and Wireless Communication Technologies and Challenges in Smart Residential Buildings

Background: The smart grid communication network is constructed with three tiers namely, Home Area Networks (HANs), Neighborhood Area Networks (NANs) and Wide Area Networks (WANs). These networks function with various communication protocols like table protocol, on-demand protocol, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-MAX, GSM, LTE, Cognitive Radio Networks. The network interconnection is heterogonous and all appliances have to communicate through the IP gateways. A large amount of data is collected from various sensors placed in different locations. The analytics on large data- “big data” is essential because these data were used to organize and plan an efficient control and management of the smart home including secured data exchange in different sectors. Objective: This paper investigates broadly on data rate, channel bandwidth, power consumption, and a coverage range of both wired and wireless communication technologies used in residential buildings. Besides, a literature survey on optimization algorithms with various constraints to manage home appliances through scheduling is included. The paper also discusses the communication standards along with security and privacy requirements for smart metering networks. Conclusion: Discussion on IEEE standards for both wired and wireless communication protocols. Gives direction to identify the suitable communication technique through mathematical model for computing the communication channel bandwidth. Comparison of various optimization algorithms with multiple constraints in HEMS to achieve the minimum electricity cost and user comfort (with and without Renewable Energy Sources). From the investigation on both wired and wireless networks, the wireless communication networks (Zig-Bee & Wi-Fi) are mostly preferred to use in HAN because of more reliability and low cost. Zigbee is the most appropriate technology used for data transmission between the individual appliances and smart meters. Wi-Fi is a suitable technology for controlling and monitoring appliances because of its high data rate.

A QoS-Guaranteed and Congestion-Controlled SDN Routing Strategy for Smart Grid

The smart grid (SG) is an integration of a traditional power grid with advanced information and communication infrastructure for a large number of electrical applications. Despite all these advantages that the SG will bring, certain issues arise when designing a high-quality SG communication network. One of the critical challenges is that the existing routing strategies in smart power grids are incapable of guaranteeing differentiated QoS requirements considering the network dynamics. To address this limitation, we propose an SDN routing algorithm called the QoS-guaranteed and congestion-controlled OpenFlow routing strategy (QCORS) to satisfy the various communication demands by utilizing the flexibility of SDN. Gaining from its open and programmable idea in SDN, the proposed strategy is expected to divide the link into different congestion levels based on predicting the future congestion status from transmission links. Then packets are expected to be transmitted to routers through links under lower load conditions. The simulation results have demonstrated that the proposed method can reduce the average peer-to-peer delay of all the vocational flow and guarantee the reliability of the network.

An overview of DLMS/COSEM and g3-plc for smart metering applications

Abstract A crucial part of the smart grid communication network is the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), connecting a utility company to end-users to support telemetry and remote-control applications. Although different technologies and standards for smart metering systems exist, Power-Line Communication is the preferred technology for AMI networks in dense urban areas, and the G3-PLC, which uses DLMS/COSEM to support data exchange, is the most used standard in PLC-based AMI networks. This paper provides a holistic view of G3-PLC in smart metering systems, including its interaction with the DLMS/COSEM. It also covers the challenges and research opportunities in G3-PLC smart metering systems.

Fine-Grained Bandwidth Estimation for Smart Grid Communication Network

Accurate estimation of communication bandwidth is critical for the sensing and controlling applications of smart grid. Different from public network, the bandwidth requirements of smart grid communication network must be accurately estimated in prior to the deployment of applications or even the building of communication network. However, existing methods for smart grid usually model communication nodes in coarse-grained ways, so their estimations become inaccurate in scenarios where the same type of nodes have very different bandwidth requirements. To solve this issue, we propose a fine-grained estimation method based on multivariate nonlinear fitting. Firstly, we use linear fitting to calculate the convergence weights of each node. Then, we use correlation to select the important characteristics. Finally, we use multivariate nonlinear fitting to learn the nonlinear relationship between characteristics and convergence weight, and complete the fine-grained bandwidth estimation. Our method exploits multiple node characteristics to reveal how different nodes affect bandwidth requirements differently, and it can learn multivariate estimation parameters from present network without human interference. We use NS2 to simulate a real-world regional smart grid. Simulation shows that our method outperforms existing works by up to 56.5% higher estimation accuracy.

Multiband Spectrum Sensing and Power Allocation for aCognitive Radio-Enabled Smart Grid.

As part of an Internet of Things (IoT) framework, the Smart Grid (SG) relies on advanced communication technologies for efficient energy management and utilization. Cognitive Radio (CR), which allows Secondary Users (SUs) to opportunistically access and use the spectrum bands owned by Primary Users (PUs), is regarded as the key technology of the next-generation wireless communication. With the assistance of CR technology, the quality of communication in the SG could be improved. In this paper, based on a hybrid CR-enabled SG communication network, a new system architecture for multiband-CR-enabled SG communication is proposed. Then, some optimization mathematical models are also proposed to jointly find the optimal sensing time and the optimal power allocation strategy. By using convex optimization techniques, several optimal methods are proposed to maximize the data rate of multiband-CR-enabled SG while considering the minimum detection probabilities to the active PUs. Finally, simulations are presented to show the validity of the proposed methods.

Energy-Efficient Optimal Power Allocation for SWIPT Based IoT-Enabled Smart Meter.

This paper presents an internet of things (IoTs) enabled smart meter with energy-efficient simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) for the wireless powered smart grid communication network. The SWIPT technique with energy harvesting (EH) is an attractive solution for prolonging the battery life of ultra-low power devices. The motivation for energy efficiency (EE) maximization is to increase the efficient use of energy and improve the battery life of the IoT devices embedded in smart meter. In the system model, the smart meter is equipped with an IoT device, which implements the SWIPT technique in power splitting (PS) mode. This paper aims at the EE maximization and considers the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing distributed antenna system (OFDM-DAS) for the smart meters in the downlink with IoT enabled PS-SWIPT system. The EE maximization is a nonlinear and non-convex optimization problem. We propose an optimal power allocation algorithm for the non-convex EE maximization problem by the Lagrange method and proportional fairness to optimal power allocation among smart meters. The proposed algorithm shows a clear advantage, where total power consumption is considered in the EE maximization with energy constraints. Furthermore, EE vs. spectral efficiency (SE) tradeoff is investigated. The results of our algorithm reveal that EE improves with EH requirements.

Cyber security in industrial control system

For any system to secure them industrial control system plays an important role in it. It helps to design the isolated procure system, specialized communication mechanisms is used to help for the setup. And with the help of this setup the flexibility, safety, threats, and vulnerabilities are the most important things to make. To secure them from risk assessment and other protection measurement need to specify with good instruments and security. The paper describes technical aspects on Denial of Service (Dos) attack. We also identify how smart grid communication networks works in security technical implementation guides of the different countries as a defense information systems agency. A brief chronicle of cyber storm on ICS; common challenges, some mitigation of those challenge, all levels of the multi-layered ICS architecture. This paper demonstrates railway control systems (RCS) compliance estimation of immovable control system design, operational scenarios that can be used for mitigation measures and security assessment.

Resource Scheduling Algorithm for Power Wireless Service

Based on the application of LTE technology in smart grid construction, this paper studies the technical background and demand of LTE technology and carrier aggregation technology in smart grid communication network construction, and analyzes the technical principle and technical background of LTE and carrier aggregation technology used in smart grid. Aiming at the problem of insufficient spectrum resources in smart grid construction, this paper focuses on the combination of carrier allocation and wireless resource allocation faced by carrier aggregation technology in smart grid environment. Carrier aggregation technology is used to improve spectrum utilization and speed up transmission speed. This paper studies a joint resource scheduling algorithm based on service priority, evaluates the service priority by studying the characteristics of wireless private network, and designs different scheduling methods for different services according to the characteristics of wireless resource allocation. The ns-3 simulation results show that the algorithm can provide sufficient resource allocation for high QoS services in the case of traffic congestion, balance the relationship between fairness and throughput, and improve the service transmission performance.

On multi-path routing for reliable communications in failure interdependent complex networks

This paper studies several new multiple routing path computation problems in failure-interdependent complex networks such as smart grid communication network, each of which exhibits unique failure interdependency. Despite the difference of the formulation of the problems, we show that each of the problems can be reduced to another within polynomial time, and therefore they are equivalent in terms of hardness. Then, we show that they are not only $$\mathcal {NP}$$ -hard, but also cannot be approximated within a certain bound unless $${\mathcal {P}}=\mathcal {NP}$$ . Besides, we show that their decision versions to determine if there exist two failure independent paths between two given end nodes are still $$\mathcal {NP}$$ -complete. Finally, a series of heuristic algorithms are proposed to deal with the daunting hardness of the problems. Most importantly, this paper opens a new series of research problems with daunting complexity based on important real world applications.

TSOU: A combined Traffic Scheduling, Optimization and Utility function based on Sailfish optimized DCNN in a Smart Grid (SG) communication network

TSOU: A combined Traffic Scheduling, Optimization and Utility function based on Sailfish optimized DCNN in a Smart Grid (SG) communication network

Feasibility analysis of standalone PV powered battery using SEN for Smart Grid

In Smart Grid (SG) communication network, sensors integrated communication radios namely ZigBee, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth are becoming urgent and crucial part of SG wireless communication. Sensor nodes are generally battery powered. With the enhancement and huge utilization of sensor technologies, batteries have not been improved significantly at the same pace. However, batteries are essential to power the sensor nodes and there is no alternative of this energy bank. Therefore, to provide seamless power to the nodes is a challenge when the nodes are meant for integrating distributed renewable generations for years. Necessitate of the battery replacement is not often cost effective when the batteries are drained out. This paper presents a feasibility study of standalone Photovoltaic (PV) powered battery using Sensors-radios integrated Embedded Node (SEN) for SG application. In this study, we have analyzed charging characteristics of a lead-acid battery that can be recharged during day time by a PV module. The aim of this research is to testify the two simultaneous jobs- (i) the battery is sufficient to power Sensors-ZigBee integrated Arduino (SZA) for at least one day operation, (ii) scrutiny the optimal size of PV for recharging the battery considering three different day variations- average, cloudy, and full rainy day. The result from real data analysis reveals that the module is sufficient to recharge the battery on an average day; however, it is not sufficient for full cloudy or full rainy day. Finally, a mathematical model is obtained from regression analysis that shows battery internal resistance is exponential to voltage on both full cloudy and rainy day, but it is linear on average day.

Study of IPv6 Protocol in the Data Model of the Smart Grid Distribution Domain

Introduction: This article is the product of the research “Study of the IPv6 Protocol in the data model of the Smart Grid distribution domain” developed at the Universidad del Valle and carried out during 2019.
 Problem: There is an immediate need to establish standards and protocols for the Smart Grid for both the electrical components and the component technologies of information and communication.
 Objective: The objective of the research is to characterize the use of IPv6 in the context of the communications domain distribution of the Smart Grid.
 Methodology: The work defines a virtualization environment in which the performance of IPv6 in the domain distribution of the Smart Grid will be evaluated; this evaluation includes measurement and analysis of delays as well as traffic volumes, bandwidth, cyber-security conditions, and time allocation of network addresses.
 Results: The IPv6 protocol is considered as a viable alternative in the Smart Grid communication model in order to comply with the communication requirements.
 Conclusion: The implementation of Quality of Service QoS in IPv6 defined in RFC2474 is essential in the Smart Grid communication network in order to meet the communication requirements of the defined applications.
 Originality: There is great expectation that networks based on the Internet Protocol will serve as a key element for communications within the Smart Grid.
 Limitations: The wide scope and dimensions involving Smart Grids, it is almost impossible to implement the communication network of a Smart Grid completely in a single simulation tool or emulation.

Survivability-aware routing restoration mechanism for smart grid communication network in large-scale failures

Natural disasters such as earthquakes have consecutive impacts on the smart grid because of aftershock activities. To guarantee service requirements and smart grid stable operations, it is a challenge to design a fast and survivable rerouting mechanism. There are few studies that consider concurrent rerouting aiming at multiple services in smart grid communication network, however. Firstly, we formulate the node survivability, link survivability, and path survivability model in terms of the distance from the epicenter to the node and the link of the network. Meanwhile, we introduce the indicator of site difference level which is unique in the smart grid to further restrict the service path. Secondly, to improve the algorithm efficiency and reduce rerouting time, the deep first search algorithm is utilized to obtain the available rerouting set, and then the I-DQN based on the framework of reinforcement learning is proposed to achieve concurrent rerouting for multiple services. The experimental results show that our approach has a better convergence performance and higher survivability as well as the approximate latency in comparison with other approaches.